In the round-up: Formula 1 world champion of 1978, Mario Andretti, says he believes the Andretti team bid to enter F1 is a chance for the USA to be represented “properly” in the sport.
In brief
Andretti F1 team could represent USA “properly”
Formula 1 world champion of 1978, Mario Andretti, says he believes the Andretti team bid to enter F1 is a chance for the USA to be represented “properly” in the sport.Mario’s son Michael, who raced half a season in F1 with McLaren in 1993, is spearheading Andretti’s bid to join F1 and is in the process of formally applying with the FIA to join as a new entrant. America already has one F1 team in Haas, but the senior Andretti believes his family’s team could be a true American constructor.
“We feel we’re bringing something to the party. We have a commitment from General Motors with Cadillac; it’s a huge investment in our sport,” Andretti told Total Motorsport.
“So I think this spells something positive for the sport. We haven’t seen a fully-fledged American team since Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers, so why not embrace it? The US fan base is so strong. Let’s have a team that represents this country properly. These ingredients should be a positive aspect of F1.”
McCollough “amazed” by Alonso’s desire to win
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough says he has been impressed by the determination of new driver Fernando Alonso to succeed with his new team.
Alonso joins Aston Martin for the 2023 season at the age of 41, still seeking his third world championship. McCullogh says he has been struck by Alonso’s desire to win since joining the team in January.
“We’re still really getting to know Fernando,” McCullough said, “but the hunger that I see in Fernando, it just amazes me at this stage in his career.
“It is a driving force for all of us. We are all, as engineers, very driven, very hungry, very data-driven. But to have a driver who is smashing that into you as well is really quite good fun to be honest, so far.”
Simracing “all I’ve had for the last 18 months” – Piastri
McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri says that simracing has been his only avenue to work on his racecraft while he sat out of racing for a year in 2022.
Piastri won the Formula 2 title in 2021 as an Alpine junior driver and spent last year out of racing while acting as reserve driver. Although he completed some tests with Alpine before signing with McLaren for 2023, Piastri says his racing preparation has been limited to simracing.
“Simracing has been a little bit of an assistance there,” Piastri said. “Obviously, it’s slightly different, but it’s really all I’ve had for the last nearly 18 months now.
“So I’ve been using that a little bit here and there and just making sure the things I can actually focus on and have an input in are really enabled so that when I go into the season, I’m not trying to play catch up on on all fronts. It’s just the going racing that I need to spend more focus on.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
"For newcomers to the sport, 'Drive to Survive' is an absolute must-watch. These episodes serve as an informative primer on the latest developments and the characters involved in the game, allowing viewers to get up to speed before the release of the fifth season next week."
Alpine F1 shows off 3D printing skill (3D Printing Media Network)
"As the new season gets underway, the teams continue to show off and highlight their capabilities. Recently, BWT Alpine F1 showed off Figure 4 3D printers from 3D Systems."
Obituary: David Price (Motorsport UK)
"In all his roles whether as a Team Owner, Team Manager or engineer ‘Pricey’, as he was lovingly known, earned himself a reputation as a great leader as well as one of the sport’s most passionate and knowledgeable personalities. Motorsport UK sends its condolences to David Price’s family and all his many, many friends."
Jos forced to postpone start of his 2023 rally season (Verstappen.com)
"Jos, who had been in full preparation for the new rally season, recently suffered from migraine-like symptoms. Jos has undergone medical examinations during the past few days and is back in good health, but with additional medical tests underway, after consultation it has been decided not to get behind the wheel for the time being."
Formula 2 Is BACK! First Look At F2 In 2023 Pre-Season Testing (F2 via YouTube)
"Formula 2 had their 2023 pre-season testing in Bahrain as new faces, a new team and returning drivers got back behind the wheel."
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See you there!
Tickets available at 🌐 https://t.co/T9mOq5Taj0#F1Testing pic.twitter.com/A3tQtzF1GC
— Bahrain Int. Circuit (@BAH_Int_Circuit) February 18, 2023
A passenger ride with @Max33Verstappen in a V10 🤯🔊 pic.twitter.com/qkUwYDjGMu
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 18, 2023
I’ve signed and donated my race-worn special helmet from the 2022 French Grand Prix to the inspiring @petitsprinces. Buy one or more €5 ticket to enter the raffle for a chance to win this helmet. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/W23thEGTzV
— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) February 18, 2023
A really special day for the Sainz’s 😍
–#Carlossainz pic.twitter.com/dT3IoyirNJ
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) February 18, 2023
Intense programme for the HPP Race Director and Steward trainees: discussion in groups or pairs, workshops and presentations about topics ranging from performance profiling to critical processes at races.#FIAHighPerformanceProgramme pic.twitter.com/0houLS5evW
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Comment of the day
With Esteban Ocon admitting that he and new team mate Pierre Gasly are “never going to be best friends,” @nullapax is refreshed that Ocon and Gasly are willing to be genuine about their relationship…
I like the fact that they can be honest about disliking each other.
So much more refreshing than reading PR lies about how much drivers admire other drivers when it is blatantly obvious that they detest them.
How well they will work together when the pressure is on remains to be seen…
Nulla Pax
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Phildick, Looseasagoose and Reginald!
Marvin The Martian (@marvinthemartian)
19th February 2023, 0:21
“So far….”
That says so much about working with Alonso 🙂
PeterG
19th February 2023, 0:23
Let Andretti in.
Let any other teqm that wishes to enter and has the resources, commitment etc.. and is able to field 2 cars.
This whole closed off era of F1 with the stupid franchise system just makes the sport look like an elitist joke.
But of course if they were a full factory Porsche team they would be welcome with open arms even knowing that manufactures never stick around. At least private independent teams entering because of a love and passion for the sport are less likely to walk away because of a boardroom shakeroom and change in marketing direction like the manufacturers are.
PeterG
19th February 2023, 0:27
I mean every manufacturer on the grid right now aside from Ferrari have come and gone multiple times for multiple different reasons.
And they will all leave again.
Honda alone has come and gone 3 times over the past 30 years. Twice in the last 15. Does anyone really expect them to still be part of F1 in a decade?
But still lets throw everything behind the manufacturers for marketing purposes. Who cares about the independent privateer teams right.
Darryn Smith (@darryn)
19th February 2023, 2:16
I honestly don’t even know if Honda is in F1 now or not at this point. Let Andretti in.
anon
19th February 2023, 9:04
PeterG, whilst that sentiment is often expressed, how does the lifespan of the average privateer team compare to that of the average manufacturer entry?
S
19th February 2023, 10:23
I’d suggest that since most manufacturers purchase ‘privateer’ teams and then later sell them, the comparison would strongly favour the teams themselves over their temporary (manufacturer) owners. Right?
Does this comparison take into account team finances? It doesn’t really seem fair to compare a manufacturer-funded team to a relatively poor team like Life Racing, Simtek, Pacific or Forti (for example).
Ultimately money buys longevity in F1, and manufacturers can spend plenty of it if they feel like it…
grat
20th February 2023, 21:43
Depends on how you define “private”, but Williams, McLaren, Sauber and Haas are still here. Jordan, Tyrrell, Stewart, Minardi and Toleman were all privateer teams that have been traded around, with manufacturers buying them and selling them when they lose interest.
Jordan is now Aston Martin, Tyrrell is now Mercedes, and Stewart is now Red Bull– but much of Jordan’s life has been private, Stewart was briefly Ford and then Jaguar, Mindardi’s never been a manufacturer team, and Toleman turned into Renault– who’s been in and out of the sport repeatedly since 2000.
Ferrari and Mercedes have been the only two teams that really seem to be interested in Formula 1 long term– it’s been observed that Toto runs Mercedes more like a privateer team, and Ferrari only builds cars so they can afford to race in F1.
Manufacturers have not impressed over the past few decades.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
21st February 2023, 1:40
No. The company that first participated in Formula 1 as Jordan went into administration in 2018 and no longer exists.
Lawrence Stroll was granted a magical new F1 entry ahead of the 2018 Belgian GP, and that is the company currently racing under the Aston Martin banner.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 0:53
Let’s not give away several hundreds of millions of dollars to Mr Andretti and his investors.
Darryn Smith (@darryn)
19th February 2023, 2:17
Who’s the “us” you are talking about? Don’t they have to pay several hundred million dollars to enter and then get no prize money for 3 years?
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 11:13
I don’t think that’s on the books anymore.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 11:14
And sorry for accidentally reporting your comment, did a Mr Fumblefingers here.
Nick T.
19th February 2023, 2:49
Your comment makes no sense.
Nick T.
19th February 2023, 2:50
I was replying to Proesterchen or whatever the username that makes no sense is.
SteveR (@stever)
19th February 2023, 5:41
Why are you so concerned about F1 teams money? Do you have some financial connection? Really odd. Your postings are consistently addressing the profitability of F1 teams, not the actual competition.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 11:21
Because that is what Mr Andretti and his investors are here for.
They are trying to take advantage of the current set of commercial agreements by gaining an F1 entry at a 9-figure discount.
Mark in Florida
19th February 2023, 19:08
RedBull bought team for 1pound. Brawn GP bought Honda for 1 pound. Your point is totally invalid.
You just don’t like Americans. Your absolute disdain for America is pretty well known on this site.
Americans weren’t up in arms about Ford selling Jaguar GP. Why are you so incensed about someone who is a race team owner with a long, long history of success coming into F1?
It generally goes back to what I’ve always said. Europeans want our money not our teams. The only time you want to see Americans is if you need us to get rid of an invader. Hypocrite.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 21:16
I love how you’ve chosen an article that leads with a naturalized US citizen calling out a natural-born US citizen for not representing the US “properly” to comment, and wrongly, btw, on how I supposedly “disdain America”.
And just hours after I chose Logan Sargeant over Alex Albon (and publically, too) in this year’s teammate poll.
I’m looking forward to you returning with a proper argument, rather than trying to litigate your imaginary grievances here.
SteveR (@stever)
21st February 2023, 5:07
Yep, back at you.
MichaelN
19th February 2023, 11:45
@stever It’s fair enough to be critical of Andretti’s aims here. When so many of the existing teams seem to be leeching off the sport’s commercial revenues without making a credible effort to actually be competitive, Andretti needs to prove he’s different from the likes of Williams and Haas to be seen as different. And with what he’s offered so far, there’s no clear path to wins there. No real manufacturer backing, no history of building their own cars, etc. So what is his aim in getting involved in F1?
S
19th February 2023, 8:32
Why not?
It’s not your money, nor does it belong to any of the existing teams.
grat
20th February 2023, 21:46
Since Andretti would be required to build an entire team, including cars, at least one factory, and hire a significant number of personnel, and THEN pay $200 million up front in a bribe, just to enter the building (not to mention the FIA entrace fee)…
You have a very strange definition of “give away”.
Then again, most of your arguments seem based on the concept that black is white, up is down, and only your opinions are valid, so….. /shrug
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
21st February 2023, 1:45
The value of an F1 entry outstrips the costs of entering into Formula 1 under the current set of commercial agreements by several hundred million US dollars.
Which is why Mr Andretti and his investors are trying so hard to gain an entry while these agreements are still in place.
SteveR (@stever)
21st February 2023, 5:10
So we should, by your reasoning, reject any new F1 team. What is your problem? Do you have some sort of financial interest in F1 or do you just like to rile people up? I suggest it’s the latter.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
21st February 2023, 8:37
I have said, on multiple occasions, that new entries should be extremely limited for the duration of the current set of commercial agreements, with exceptions granted only to entrants adding exceptional value to the sport. (works entries from Honda, Porsche, and Hyundai/Kia come to mind for somewhat different reasons)
Massa
19th February 2023, 2:14
I think another important point to consider is that the good F1 drivers are racing into the eor 40s now.
The current grid is pretty stacked with good drivers and a fair few exceptional ones too. If they all so wish and are competitive they can easily race into their early to mid 40s. And that’s another reason the grid will need 26 cars to allow for new drivers when the teams don’t want to get rid of the current bunch or want to later take them on for their experience.
A few more teams is good for the long term health of the sport
MichaelN
19th February 2023, 11:39
If only it was elitist! There are maybe two or three competitive teams in F1, the rest is just there for reasons best known to themselves. But whatever it is, they’re not making the effort required to win races.
sam
19th February 2023, 17:36
Right… you know more about it than actual Racing Teams. Grow up.
some racing fan
19th February 2023, 21:06
Grand Prix racing is, and always has been, elitist- even back to its earliest days at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. It is probably the single most elitist form of professional competition in the world.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 0:51
It’s almost sad for Mr Andretti and his investors to involve his father in their shenanigans.
Let’s hope he is at least well compensated.
SteveR (@stever)
19th February 2023, 5:45
Maybe these are honest responses by Mario, What is your hate for Andretti? It’s pretty consistent but not understood and is, honestly, getting pretty old.
anon
19th February 2023, 9:17
@stever it seems to be more that he’s rather sarcastic towards most people, not just Andretti.
That said, whilst not being in agreement with the statement, I can see why somebody would be a bit cynical about Mario playing the nationalistic card with remarks such as wanting “a team that represents this country properly”, despite the fact that Michael has confirmed that his planned team would be based in the UK.
some racing fan
21st February 2023, 10:50
That is a really dishonest response. The implication is so clearly there you’d have to be really mentally slow to miss it.
With mental gymnastics like that, you’d go straight to the Olympics floor routine finals.
Nick T.
19th February 2023, 2:47
Marko backs Horner over Andretti-Cadillac stance
Although the FIA has now instigated a formal process to consider expanding the grid from 10 to up to 12 teams, F1 itself – and the existing teams – are worried about a dilution of income and prestige.
McLaren supremo Zak Brown revealed this week that at the forthcoming meeting of the F1 Commission, a proposal to raise the new-team entry fee from its current $200 million will be discussed.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, says the easiest way for the Andretti bid to end the controversy is simply by buy an existing team.
He told the Daily Mail he has “nothing against Andretti and Cadillac”, but allowing an 11th entry onto the grid is simply a matter of “who is actually going to pay for it”.
“Red Bull was Jaguar, which was Stewart-Ford,” Horner said. “Look at Mercedes, who go all the way back through Honda to BAR to Tyrrell. Aston Martin to Jordan. That has been the procedure for many years.”
Marko, a fellow top official at Red Bull, told Sport1: “There is nothing to add to Christian’s statements.
“A financial basis must always be secured.”
“The fact is that none of the current teams are for sale,” Michael’s father Mario Andretti said this week.
“Michael and his team have already looked at that scenario extensively and nothing is available.”
Horner’s argument makes no sense when they’re used to be essentially no cap on new teams. Seems like Liberty is going to somehow force the FIA and the team to accept a new team one way or another.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
19th February 2023, 9:40
The fact is that Mr Andretti and his investors failed to come to terms with existing entries on multiple occasions, while others managed to acquire them.
SteveR (@stever)
21st February 2023, 5:14
So I guess, from your comment, that you were privy to the negotiations? Yeah, sure…..
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
21st February 2023, 8:29
It’s public knowledge.
As is Mr Andretti and his investors’ failure to acquire an F1 entry.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
19th February 2023, 12:57
“F1” doesn’t want to let them in because they already have a preferred 11th/12th entry on the cards.
The teams don’t want them because of money.
Everything else is just dancing around the point, convincing no one.
F1 Codger
19th February 2023, 14:41
Manufcturers may no longer leave F1 as often in the future as with a cost-cap the teams can make a profit and the racing then is itself free advertising for the brand, so why leave. Just a thought, things can change.
MichaelN
19th February 2023, 14:53
Not just that, the increased standardization of cars and engines means it’ll become increasingly hard to make a bad car. This is great news for manufacturers, who like F1’s appeal but fear being bad at it. It’s how the FIA, ACO and IMSA were able to tempt manufacturers back into the LMDh and LMH categories, and it’s a big reason Ford and Audi are coming to F1 in 2026.